Glendon Global Dialogue Series
The Glendon Global Dialogue series (GGD) complements the academic program with a focus on urgent global issues and trends.
Open to all students, faculty, alumni, as well as the public, the events provide an important opportunity to bring exceptional talent to the campus to engage with the wider community.
These events are conducted twice throughout the academic year. Attendees can take part in-person on campus or join online.
The first GGD was conducted in November 2023 and included a panel of three addressing “Arctic Security: Are we ready for the future?” The panel included Ms. Aleqa Hammond, former Prime Minister of Greenland, as well as Professors Gabrielle Slowey of York University and Kari Roberts of Mount Royal University. The GGD has been an ongoing tradition that commenced under Annie Demerjian, former director of the School of Public and International Affairs. The session was opened by the reading of the land acknowledgement in the Nunavik dialect of Inuktitut by Raigilie Mackey, a Glendon student from Nunavik.
Other topics included “loneliness” focusing on the results of the report released by the World Health Organization and it’s impact on public policy. A further event drew on the report by Justice Hogue on and interference in elections.
As part of the speaker series, students have an opportunity to join a dinner hosted by the Director of the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs. The dinner brings together speakers, faculty, and students to engage with change makers in an informal setting.
Capstone Seminar
One of the main highlights of the Capstone Seminar is to guide graduate students in developing a policy proposal according to a template for cabinet Submissions.
Student cabinet Submissions covered topics such as:
- Therapeutic-oriented alternatives to solitary confinement for incarcerated individuals with mental health disabilities.
- Taxing sugar sweetened beverages.
- Amending the Vital Statistics Act, and
- Promoting the future Black Lawyers of Ontario Initiative.
Weekly Colloquiums
Heading the master’s in Public and International Affairs is Associate Professor Francis Garon, whose fields of expertise include immigration, multiculturalism and transculturalism, politics and government.
Professor Garon hosts a weekly mandatory colloquium series, conducted over 24 weeks, under the Chatham House Rules. These are small group discussions designed to offer a unique window into the role of practitioners and the challenges faced in public and international affairs. National and international experts introduced students to a wide range of current challenges with an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ view.
Notable Speakers from 2023-2025 Included:
- Ms Aleqa Hammond, former Prime Minister of Greenland speaking on challenges in the Arctic
- Ambassador (retired) Jon Allen, speaking on the Middle East
- Col. Malin Persson, Swedish Armed Forces, sharing views on Sweden’s decision to join NATO
- Nik Nanos, founder of Nanos Research speaking on data collection and analysis
- Dr Lynn Jones, C.M. speaking on the challenges of Black Canadians
- Ms. Nicole Doray, Suzuki Foundation, and Ms. Elizabeth Robertson, addressing the role of archaeological assessment as part of public infrastructure works.
University Exchanges
Glendon students have the opportunity to pursue the Dual Degree with IEP Strasbourg in France. Those selected for the Dual Degree spend their first year in the MPIA, and their second year in Strasbourg. At the end of their study, they obtain two degrees, one from York and one from Université de Strasbourg. Students coming in from Strasbourg are also spending their first year in Glendon and then return to Strasbourg for their second year. 5 students maximum per year are accepted in the Dual Degree.
In addition to the Dual Degree, students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad through York International and its over 300 global partners in more that 65 countries.